FAQ's

Why has the Award been Instituted?
What are the Highlights of the Award?
Who are the Sponsors of the Award?
Who is Eligible for the Award?
How can one Apply?
How is Selection made?
Who are the Nominating Authorities?
How are the Awardees felicitated?
What are the Facilities accorded to the winners?

Why has the Award been Instituted?
Late Shri. L.M. Patel, Founder and Director of the American Springs & Pressing Works Ltd. (ASPEE), pioneer in the field of agriculture sprayers and dusters, spent his entire life for the cause agriculture since 1946. He believed that part of the income generated should be returned to the farmer. The Award is instituted to commemorate his memory.

Service to the Agricultutre Sector was the dream envisaged by this luminary who made ASPEE a household name in the farming community. He established various foundations to provide qualitative improvement in Indian agriculture. He also carried out extensive advanced agriculture systems through sponsorships of Agricluture Research institutes in the hope bettering the agricultural scenario in the country.

What are the Highlights of the Award?
Every year 3 Awards of Rs.1, 00,000 each will be awarded to the farmers. The areas of specialization will be specified by the Managing Committee from year to year. Two to be given to farmers in the category to be announced by the Committee from year to year. One to an outstanding "Woman-Farmer" in activities allied to agriculture. This award is meant to honour Smt. Maniben L. Patel, wife of Late Shri. L. M. Patel.

Who are the Sponsors of the Award?
The award is jointly sponsored by all those who are associated with ASPEE - 

• ASPEE Group of Companies

• ASPEE Distributor's Association

• ASPEE Agriculture Research & Development Foundation

• ASPEE Research Institute

• ASPEE Staff Recreation Club

• ASPEE Charitable Trust

• Shakilam Foundation

Who is Eligible for the Award?
This is a very coveted award and any farmer who grows agriculture and horticultural crops, uses inputs effectively through adoption of modern agricultural technology, serves the farming community as a model for rural development and uses land, water, finance and manpower resources optimally is eligible to apply for the award.

How can one Apply?
The procedure is very well defined and documented. The announcement for award is made in the month of March. The Award is given nationwide publicity inviting farmers to apply. The farmer is first write to the Aspee Foundation for a Proforma to enable the Foundation to obtain Preliminary data of the farmer. This proforma is to be filled in and send directly to the Foundation.

How is Selection made?
The profroma when received is scrutinized and nomination forms are sent only to suitable candidates for obtaining more comprehensive data of the farmer. Nomination forms are to be returned to the Foundation through a nominating authority. The nomination forms sent directly to the Foundation without the recommendation of nominating authority are rejected. A team of eminent scientists rigorously scrutinizes nomination forms. Videoshooting and interviews are conducted for shortlisted nominees. The Selection Committee consisting of senior scientists make further evaluation and shortlisting. A final selection of the awardees is made by the Managing Committee presently chaired by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Former Director General, ICAR, New Delhi.

Who are the Nominating Authorities?

• Vice-Chancellor of Agricultural University

• Head of Agricultural Research Organisation/ Director of Research/ Director of Extension Education.

• Secretary, Ministry of State or Central Government concerned with Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Animal Husbandry/ Dairying.

• Director of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary/ Dairy of State Government or Union Territory.

• President of Zilla Parishad.

• President of Registered Farmer’s Association or Mahila Association.

• President / Chairperson of Registered Associations, Institutions and Bodies working for rural development.

• Registered NGOs.

• Manager of Rural Banks and Commercial Banks.

• “Ex-Aspee L.M. Patel Farmer of the Year Award” Winners.

• Training organizer of Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

• Sarpanch of Grampanchayat.

How are the Awardees felicitated?
The Awardees will be presented at the hands of some eminent dignitary in a well organized function at the Aspee House in the month of March to synchronize with the birth/death anniversary of Late Shri. L.M. Patel. 

What are the Facilities accorded to the winners?
The winners of the Awards will be paid to and fro 2nd class A/c railfare and will be given suitable accomodation for himself / herself and spouse at the place of the Award presentation Ceremony. 

The winners of the Plaque will also be invited for the Award Presentation Ceremony. Only awardees will be provided the to and fro railway fare.